I received a question about storage of ethylene glycol and noticed that a lot of sources specifically mention that ethylene glycol and glacial acetic acid are incompatible. Can anyone explain why? I ran this question past our synthesis group and they were of the opinion that in order to get a reaction even with lighter alcohols, the mixture would need to be heated. Is this an error that has crept into the literature? I also found a recommendation to store away from xylene. That has me really puzzled.

My recommendations were to store with other organic acids or to store in secondary containment away from bases and oxidizers.

Thanks,

Phil McKittrick